Thomas Edison's Milestones

Thomas Edison was an American inventor and businessman who patented the light bulb, phonograph, and many other devices, founding the electric power industry and shaping modern technology.
1847

Birth

Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, to Samuel and Nancy Edison.

Family February 11, 1847
1854

Family moved to Port Huron

Family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, where Edison grew up.

Location January 1, 1854

Early education by mother

Edison was homeschooled by his mother, who encouraged his curiosity and love of reading.

Education January 1, 1854 - January 1, 1860
1859

Began hearing loss

Began losing his hearing at age 12, which worsened throughout his life.

Other January 1, 1859
1862

Started selling newspapers on trains

Worked as a newsboy on trains between Port Huron and Detroit, selling newspapers and snacks.

Career January 1, 1862 - January 1, 1866

Saved a child, learned telegraphy

Saved a child from a train accident; the child's father taught him telegraphy, leading to his first telegraph job.

Achievement June 1, 1862 - January 1, 1863
1863

First entrepreneurial venture

Printed and sold his own newspaper, the Grand Trunk Herald, on trains.

Career January 1, 1863 - January 1, 1866
1866

Worked as telegraph operator

Worked as a telegraph operator in several cities, gaining technical expertise.

Career January 1, 1866 - December 31, 1868
1869

First patent (vote recorder)

Received his first patent for an electric vote recorder.

Achievement June 1, 1869

Moved to New York

Moved to New York City and began working as an inventor.

Location July 1, 1869
1870

Founded first company

Founded Pope, Edison & Co., his first electrical engineering company.

Career January 1, 1870
1871

Invented stock ticker

Invented and improved the stock ticker, earning significant income.

Achievement January 1, 1871

Married Mary Stilwell

Married Mary Stilwell; they had three children before her death.

Relationship December 25, 1871 - August 9, 1884
1876

Established Menlo Park laboratory

Opened his famous Menlo Park laboratory, the first industrial research lab.

Career January 1, 1876
1877

Invented phonograph

Invented the phonograph, the first device to record and reproduce sound, gaining worldwide fame.

Achievement November 21, 1877

Invented carbon microphone

Invented the carbon microphone, improving telephone technology.

Achievement December 1, 1877
1878

Formed Edison Electric Light Company

Founded the Edison Electric Light Company, which later became part of General Electric.

Career October 15, 1878
1879

Invented practical incandescent light bulb

Invented a practical incandescent light bulb, revolutionizing indoor lighting.

Achievement October 22, 1879

First public demonstration of light bulb

Presented the first public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb at Menlo Park.

Achievement December 31, 1879
1882

Developed electric power distribution

Opened the Pearl Street Station in New York City, the first commercial power plant.

Achievement September 4, 1882
1886

Married Mina Miller

Married Mina Miller; they had three children and lived in West Orange, New Jersey.

Relationship February 24, 1886
1887

Established laboratory in West Orange

Opened a new laboratory complex in West Orange, New Jersey, expanding his research and manufacturing.

Career January 1, 1887
1889

Founded Edison Manufacturing Company

Founded Edison Manufacturing Company to produce motion pictures and other inventions.

Career May 1, 1889
1890

Worked on mining and cement

Experimented with ore milling and cement production, though these ventures were less successful.

Career January 1, 1890 - December 31, 1900
1891

Invented Kinetograph motion picture camera

Invented the Kinetograph, an early motion picture camera, and the Kinetoscope viewer.

Achievement May 20, 1891
1901

Invented nickel-iron battery

Invented and patented the nickel-iron rechargeable battery.

Achievement April 10, 1901

Formed Edison Storage Battery Company

Founded Edison Storage Battery Company to commercialize his battery inventions.

Career May 27, 1901
1915

Led Naval Consulting Board

Chaired the Naval Consulting Board during World War I, advising the U.S. Navy on technology.

Achievement July 7, 1915 - December 31, 1919
1927

Rubber research and Goldenrod plant

Researched domestic sources of rubber, developing a high-latex-yield Goldenrod plant.

Achievement January 1, 1927 - October 18, 1931
1928

Final years and public honors

Received numerous awards and honors; remained active in business and research until his death.

Other January 1, 1928 - October 18, 1931
1931

Death

Thomas Edison died at his home, Glenmont, in West Orange, New Jersey, of complications from diabetes.

Other October 18, 1931